For children with autism, 8 tips to make the holidays easier

Updated 7:26 am, Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Will there be a big family dinner? Caroling? Dempsey says talking to the child about what to expect is key. It might help to rehearse, say, Christmas dinner.

Manage expectations

Will there be a big family dinner? Caroling? Dempsey says talking to the child about what to expect is key. It might help to rehearse, say, Christmas dinner.

Photo: Michael Ciaglo, Houston Chronicle

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Photos

Show the child photos and videos of what to expect. Children on the autism spectrum are often highly visually oriented. This can help ease anxiety.

Photos

Show the child photos and videos of what to expect. Children on the autism spectrum are often highly visually oriented. This can help ease anxiety.

Photo: Kiichiro Sato, STF

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Hit the dollar store

Cheap toys can offer a distraction when situations begin to be overwhelming.

Hit the dollar store

Cheap toys can offer a distraction when situations begin to be overwhelming.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff

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Snacks

Having a few snacks around can also be a calming factor.

Snacks

Having a few snacks around can also be a calming factor.

Photo: GETTY

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Be calm

Your anxiety can be felt by your child. Stay calm.

Be calm

Your anxiety can be felt by your child. Stay calm.

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff

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Presents

Opening presents can be upsetting. If the child starts to be overwhelmed, take the child to another room for about 10 minutes. If the child has a special favorite relative, enlist that person's help, which can be calming.

Don't hide your child from your extended family. They should be aware of your challenges. And hey, they might be a help.

Don't hide

Don't hide your child from your extended family. They should be aware of your challenges. And hey, they might be a help.

Photo: Universal Studios, HO

For children with autism, 8 tips to make the holidays easier

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Communication and planning are key to making the holidays easier for children with autism spectrum disorder.

So says Dr. Jack Dempsey, assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and psychologist at Texas Children's Autism Center. "The goal for parents should be to help their child have fun but to keep them from reaching an emotional extreme, such as feeling overexcited or anxious," he says.

Here are some ideas for how to cope to make everyone's holidays easier.